Contrasting receptions

No doubt Emyr Huws and Jed Steer will see both sides of the Blues fans when they step out on to the pitch tomorrow.

Huws did pretty well when he was on loan from Man City during the Season of the Near Death Experience, while Steer will be given every courtesy usually afforded those with a claret and blue background.

The Terriers goalkeeper is on loan from Villa and will no doubt relish running out towards the Tilton

.

One group not needing their tin hats will be the Blues back four.

Huddersfield have scored a league-low one headed goal so far this season, so clearly the threat to Messrs Morrison and Spector will be floor-based rather than aerial.

That could be good for Spector who is excellent at making interceptions, and also mean that Paul Caddis won’t suffer the customary cross-field bombardment many teams attempt.

However, all four defenders will need to be alert to the runs and mobility of Joe Lolley, Jamie Paterson and Sean Scannell.

And at the other end...

We’ve all heard of a rain-dance and a sun-dance, whatever shapes you have to throw to constitute a goal-dance should be instantly performed because everyone is aching for Nicolai Brock-Madsen to score.

Whether it’s boiling entrails on the third day of a full moon or offering a sacrifice of festive sobriety to the footballing gods, let’s get it done and see how the young Dane grows in stature.

The good news is Huddersfield have conceded two or more in each of the last six Championship games and only four teams have shipped more than their 28 so far this season.

On the other hand....

Blues have failed to score in five of their last six Championship home games; no other Championship team have failed to score in more home games.

If it’s not Brock-Madsen who produces the goals a Toral hat-trick, a couple of Gray specials or even a Caddis winner from a contested penalty would do nicely.

I’d rather not wait until Greg Halford comes on and nods in a 95th minute corner - but I’d take it now.

The next David Cotterill

The Welshman is three or four weeks away from returning so in the meantime someone has to emulate his flair for the unexpected.

Cotterill scored in both matches against Huddersfield last season, a ripping, dipping free kick that gave Blues a 1-0 win at the John Smith’s Stadium, despite a pretty ordinary collective performance.

And he also put them ahead with a neat piece of skill in the home match in March as Blues drew 1-1.

The wingers have to provide the same quality of delivery and the attacking players have to be more clinical because without Cotterill and Donaldson it’s become a bit of an uphill struggle.